Audi Unveils Redesigned Q8 Crossover

Volkswagen AG’s Audi unit took the wraps off the 2019 Q8 SUV/crossover vehicle yesterday at an event in Shenzen, China.

Riding on VW’s MLB platform, the new Q8 has a 118-inch wheelbase and stretches to 196 inches from bumper to bumper. The crossover is 79 inches wide and 67 inches tall, making it slightly shorter, wider and lower than its Q7 sibling.

A range of V-6 and V-8 engines will be offered, including several diesel mills in Europe. All engines will be paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system turns off the engine when the vehicle is coasting and can recover 12-kW of power during braking.

The standard all-wheel-drive system employs a mechanical center differential with a 60:40 rear torque bias. All-wheel steering is optional, which can turn the rear wheels 5°.

Standard adjustable dampers have the capacity to increase ground clearance by as much as 10 inches. The system can be enhanced with an optional air suspension system that further adjusts ride height to match driving conditions.

Production of the Q8 will begin this summer at Audi’s plant in Bratislava, Slovakia. Sales are due to start later this year in Europe, with introductions in the U.S. and China expected shortly thereafter.